Joker Mag’s 2018 NFL Mock Draft Series: AFC East

In the second installment of our mock draft series we’ll be lookin at the AFC East. The Patriots just made a huge move and these drafts will include their newly-acquired 1st round selection.

But first, let’s get started with the New York Jets.

New York Jets

The Jets moved up to the third overall pick several weeks ago, presumably to grab their quarterback of the future. It’s been said multiple times that New York could be the best landing spot for UCLA’s Josh Rosen as it seems he would flourish in that type of market.

Rosen is the most pro-ready quarterback in this class. He gives the Jets the option to play him or let him learn behind one of the veterans on the roster.

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Their next pick is at the beginning of the third round. With that selection, they get a tackle in Jamarco Jones who could develop into a solid NFL starter. Outside of these two selections, they add some depth guys, several of which bring promising upside in Phillips and Smythe.

This would be an ideal draft for the Jets. They revamped their defense in last year’s draft and free agency, and now bring in some young talent to bring them over the hump.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are one of the most polarizing teams in this year’s draft, and are a bit of a wild card. To put a spin on this series, we have the Bills trading up to pick number 4. It seems highly unlikely that they stay at pick 12, given their glaring need at quarterback.

If this scenario, we have them trading up to select Baker Mayfield. The Heisman Trophy winner would take an instant leadership role in that locker room, and be their guy for the next decade. Mayfield has the talent and the motivation necessary to succeed and the next level.

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Selecting this year’s combine darling in Josh Sweat at the back end of round 2 isn’t likely, but it’s possible and would be an instant upgrade on the edge.

A few picks later, the Bills select Bryan O’Niell, an uber athletic tackle in the mold of David Bakhthiari. He could immediately be a swing tackle and develop into a good starter in the future.

In the third round the Bills select Austin Corbett, who adds versatility along the offensive line and immediately bolsters their depth. Outside of the top three rounds the Bills add two receivers and some more offensive line depth.

This would be a solid draft class for the Bills, a team undergoing a bit of a rebuild.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are in a situation very similar to the Bills. They have a bridge quarterback in place, but the future of the position is a very serious concern. However they do not have to resources to move up into the top-5.

In this mock, however, they get Roquan Smith, who is a top-5 talent. Smith is a blur at the linebacker position. He has true sideline to sideline ability and instantly becomes the best player on the Dolphin’s defense.

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In round two they get a long corner in Carlton Davis, who is the forgotten corner of the 2018 class. He would be a great value in the middle of the second round and start on the outside for the Dolphins immediately.

The Dolphins were also able to find a starter-caliber player in the third round in Michigan’s Mason Cole. He started at several positions along the offensive line at Michigan and could fit right into an interior spot in Miami.

The next two selections could also prove beneficial, as Mike White projects as a solid backup. Daesean Hamilton is an exceptional route runner and could fill some of the void left by Jarvis Landry via free agency.

Overall, this draft would replenish a Dolphins team in dire need of youth.

New England Patriots

The Patriots just shocked the NFL world, flipping WR Brandin Cooks (who they just acquired last offseason) for the 23rd overall pick. This move could mean that they plan on using several of there top-100 picks, along with these two first round picks, to move up and select and quarterback.

New England is now armed with double 1’s, double 2’s, and in prime position to move up in draft and select a QB if it so chooses.

However there is no evidence yet to support that theory so we left them where they were and selected several players to bolster their defense. Maurice Hurst and Marcus Davenport would both be immediate improvements at their positions and long term building blocks for the future of a defense in transition.

Crosby offers enough versatility to be their swing tackle early in his career, with potential to become a starter down the road. New England lost Nate Solder and Cam Fleming this offseason, so getting Crosby can help negate those losses.

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RB Nick Chubb could provide the same type of impact LeGarrette Blount did for this team several seasons ago. As mentioned earlier, Mike White offers some stability as a backup and could be fit for several teams in the middle rounds of this draft.

In all fairness, this could be very different than the actual haul the Patriots end up with. However, this would would be a good draft for them, netting several starters and high-upside players such as Antonio Calloway.

Be sure to leave a comment and stay tuned for our next installment of the series!